Why am I not improving?

[Mark Selby Fan]

Hi Everyone!

I have now been playing snooker for a year, on my 8ft table at home.

I have steadily got worse. My best break is 55, I would now be lucky to get over 20. I know I can play better as I got this 55 break and pretty good in line up too (check my signature). I really felt in the zone during this 55 break and I didn't use any side spin.

I have lost confidence in my snooker, and I don't like my tip either. I miss easy pots because I worry to much about position, then get frustrated and get all negative.

I know I can play good because of that 55 break, but I don't know how I got it, I have a thread on my big break (http://www.thesnookerforum.com/board...ighlight=Break).

I thought that I was getting good then, but I have slowly gone downhill since.

I feel nervous over every shot, and I find it hard to focus on the pot because I am worrying about position.

I have recently been experimenting with walking into the shot, this has helped my slightly, but not much.

Do you think a new tip would help? I don't even know what I am using, may be an elk (check the pic), but it must be good enough if I can make 55 with it. I am thinking about Talisman Pro Soft of Kamui Tan Medium.

Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Benjamin.
Happy Christmas.

[nrage]

Why are you concerned about you tip? Are you misscuing (sp?) a lot?

I think what would help you the most is watching some Nic Barrow videos, particularly the ones on mental discipline, see:
http://www.maximumbreaksnooker.com/c...ic-barrow.html

There are 3 called "Psychology" that might help.

In many of his videos he talks about what you should be thinking and focusing on at each stage in a shot. In particular, what may help you is that he talks about only thinking about position while standing behind the shot, before getting down, i.e.

1. decide on the type of shot top/center/stun/screw.
2. decide on the power of the shot 1 (soft) - 10 (hard).

Once decided, get down, and do not think about position, just keep in mind screw (5) .. or top (3) etc. If you change your mind for any reason, get back up, repeat the decision making process and get back down. Once you're 100% happy play the shot, never change your mind part way through.

Another possible cause of missing..

When playing the shot, keep your eyes focused on the spot on the object ball, do not be tempted to follow the white. It's possible you're eyes are anticipating where the white is going to go and actually moving before you strike the white and this movement introduces hand movement, causing you to miss the pot.

[nevets]

The most important thing right now is that you get the basics right. If you can cue straight and follow-through nicely the breaks will follow. Walking into the shot is an excellent habit to get into and you should do this EVERY time.
Check out the coaching advice on the forum to help with your stance and cueing. Always stay down on the shot absolutely still.
If you can get the basics right at age 14 you will be well set for the future. Don't worry too much about breaks, they will come.

By all means experiment with different tips, but don't expect them to make a huge difference. Talisman and Kumai are both excellent tips but not cheap.

Most importantly, RELAX and enjoy playing! You won't keep it up if are not having fun.

Hope this helps a little, hopefully someone with more technical knowledge will come along with more specific advice.

Merry Christmas

[Mark Selby Fan]

Thanks.

Thanks for the advice.

I miscue about 3 times per frame, even though I chalk up after every 2 shots.

I think I'll stick with my current tip, check out Nic Barrow and get back to basics.

Thanks for the advice, I will use it, really appreciated.

[nevets]

As nrage says, check the Nic Barrows videos. There is also a whole series of coaching clips on you tube called "snooker pro tips" by a coach called Neil Selman, loads of good advice there. Here's a link to one on straight cueing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lsqkKuIP7M

[Mark Selby Fan]

Thanks.

Thanks for that!

[nevets]

No problem. The quality of those clips isn't great, Neil really needs a new camcorder! But if you can get past that the advice is excellent.

[Mark Selby Fan]

Hi

I did Neil's excercise, and it really helped me to cue straight.

I also played two frames, and made a 21 and a 23. What nrage said about position before getting down and Neils straight cueing really helped me! A BIG improvement on before!

I am not going to change my tip anymore.

How many shots ahead do I need to think ahead in position, 1,2 or 3?

Thanks,
Benjamin.

[nrage]

Hi

I did Neil's excercise, and it really helped me to cue straight.

I also played two frames, and made a 21 and a 23. What nrage said about position before getting down and Neils straight cueing really helped me! A BIG improvement on before!

I am not going to change my tip anymore.

How many shots ahead do I need to think ahead in position, 1,2 or 3?

Excellent

I only think 1 or 2 shots ahead .. I think more would be better. I think the pros think a few more ahead, plus they keep trouble balls/shots in mind and attempt to get position on these balls, sometimes early, while they have a fallback option which they can play if they get the position slightly wrong. It's worth bearing all that in mind but make sure you're not thinking it when you're on the shot.

[Mark Selby Fan]

Thank you!

I now feel great about my snooker, and I am on the right track!

Thanks so much everybody! Really appreciated.

[Terry Davidson]

Unless there's a unique situation on the table (for instance the black tied up and needing to be free for a big break) all pros will only think 2 shots ahead.

The reason is, trying to plan any further ahead than that will bring constant changes since even a pro cannot guarantee his position will be millimeter perfect and as everyone knows one inch difference in positional play can bring about a big difference in selecting your next shot.

When playing a red for instance the thought should be 'what position do I need on the colour to get to THAT next red (or THAT next area where I have a choice of reds)'.

Terry